Recipes

 Holiday Stress Solutions Simple Party Themes Make Entertaining Easy

When it comes to entertaining, preparing and serving food can be a challenge for holiday hosts. For a memorable party that doesn't leave you frazzled, pick an interesting theme for your menu with finger foods that don't require a lot of prep time.

The Pampered Chef®, direct seller of high-quality products for cooking and entertaining, offers several entertaining themes and tips for a party that's easy on the host, but leaves guests thinking it took a lot of effort.

• Try a fun dessert theme like Chocolate Bliss. Make desserts in advance and then serve buffet-style, alongside a beverage bar of chocolate milk, hot cocoa, and flavored coffees and creamers.

• Invite guests to a Bites and Bevs party, where the menu features a variety of interesting appetizers and drinks. Set out small appetizer plates and let guests themselves. To encourage movement and mingling, appoint a few guests to serve the appetizers on trays, while they greet guests and make introductions.

Tangy Pepper-Pecan Brie

Appetizers don't get any easier than this, and the result is much fancier than ordinary cheese and crackers.

1/2 cup pecan halves

1 jalapeno pepper, stemmed and seeded

1/4 cup apricot preserves

4-inch round (8 oz.) Brie cheese with rind, room temperature

1 loaf French baguette

Vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 425°F. Coarsely chop pecans and jalapeno. In small bowl, combine jalapeno and preserves; mix well. Cut Brie in half horizontally. Place one half of Brie, cut side up, onto center of large round pan or baking stone. half of the apricot mixture evenly over bottom half of Brie. Top with half of the pecans and remaining half of Brie, cut side up.

Spread remaining apricot mixture over Brie; sprinkle with remaining pecans. Cut baguette on a bias into 1/2-inch thick slices.

Arrange bread around brie, and spray with vegetable oil. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until bread is golden brown and Brie begins to soften. Remove from oven; let stand 5 minutes before serving. Yield: 12 servings

Cran-Raspberry Fizz

This simple beverage takes just minutes to make. Let the sorbet stand at room temperature as you prepare the ingredients.

4 limes, divided

1 can (12 oz.) frozen cranberry juice concentrate

3 cups cold water

1 pint raspberry sorbet, softened

2 liters (8 cups) chilled ginger ale

Slice two limes; set aside. Pour cranberry juice concentrate and water into The Pampered Chef's Family-Size Quick-Stir Pitcher.

Juice remaining limes into pitcher. Scoop sorbet into pitcher; plunge to combine. Add ginger ale and lime slices. Plunge gently until well mixed. Serve over ice.